Written Answers

Wednesday 15 November 2000

Scottish Executive

British Council

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Council regarding the proposal to close the British Council regional offices in Germany and whether it has sought assurances from the council with regard to the future promotion of Scottish culture and academic issues in Germany in the event of the closure of the offices.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the British Council. They have assured us that they have no plans to reduce operational expenditure in Germany and that the closure of regional offices there, as part of a global strategic review, will not affect the level of activity to promote Scotland. This will continue to cover the whole of Germany.

British Council

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure continued support for events such as the Scots-Saxon, Scots-Bavarian and Scots-German colloquia run by the British Council regional offices in Germany which are now proposed for closure.

Mr Jack McConnell: The decision by the British Council to close some regional offices in Germany, as part of a global strategic review, will not affect their support for events to promote links between Scotland and Germany. As before, the council’s decision to become involved in any programme is based on whether it fits the council’s operational objectives in Germany. We shall continue to work with the council to promote Scotland in Germany.

Cancer

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the drug Trastuzumab (Herceptin) will be made available to health boards for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Susan Deacon: The treatment of patients with breast cancer is a matter for specialists experienced in the management of cancer and the question of whether individual patients might benefit from treatment with Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is a matter for the clinical judgment of the specialist concerned.

Cape Wrath Bombing Range

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any compensation from the Ministry of Defence in respect of any environmental damage caused by the military exercise which took place off Cape Wrath earlier this year.

Mr Sam Galbraith: There is no reason to believe that the military exercise, which took place off Cape Wrath earlier this year, caused any environmental damage. The issue of compensation does not, therefore, arise.

Central Heating

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million funding for central heating announced on 9 September 2000 will come from (a) money already allocated to the Warm Deal; (b) new money being made available as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review; (c) Scottish Homes; (d) resources made available as a result of reduced debt repayments; (e) New Housing Partnership money, and (f) Scottish Gas, Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro-electric and Transco.

Jackie Baillie: For the period covered by the Spending Review, that is 2001-02 to 2003-04, the answers are as follows: (a) £7 million; (b) £103 million; (c) none; (d) and (e) no resources have been reallocated, but presumptions for future years have been adjusted, and (f) we are still in discussion with the companies concerned. Investment to the value of £94 million will be provided through the stock transfer programme. The balance of the resources from the Scottish Executive beyond March 2004 will be set out when the next spending plans are published.

Central Heating

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive who the "new landlords" referred to in the press statement of 19 September 2000 on the £350 million funding package for central heating are, what obligations these new landlords will be under and how much of the funding package will be generated from those obligations.

Jackie Baillie: The new landlords referred to are those acquiring council houses following a vote by tenants in favour of transfer. These landlords will be required, in submitting transfer proposals to councils, to include the provision of heating and insulation in their capital investment programmes. On the basis of the transfer of an estimated 37,500 council houses without central heating and insulation, this would account for investment to the value of about £94 million of the total £350 million. The costs of providing heating and insulation will be reflected in the valuations of the houses to be transferred.

Central Heating

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Glasgow City Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Dumfries and Galloway Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Scottish Borders Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Orkney Islands Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Shetland Islands Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Aberdeen City Council, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £350 million for central heating announced on 19 September 2000 will be allocated to tenants of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, whether this allocation is from a specific source and over what time period this allocation will be made available.

Jackie Baillie: The amount to be spent will depend on the precise number of dwellings which lack central heating. About £2,500 will be spent on heating and insulation for each dwelling as part of the post-transfer investment programme. If the tenants vote for transfer, the measures will be installed by the new landlord. The cost will be reflected in the valuation of the stock. If transfer does not proceed, the Scottish Executive will make the necessary resources available. The time period for the works depends on the outcome of the ballot on stock transfer. This will be the case for all seven authorities currently on the path to a ballot on whole stock transfer.

Elderly People

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the report of the Better Government for Older People programme.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive will formally respond to the recommendations of the Better Government for Older People programme, including those made by the three Scottish pilots, early in the New Year.

Elderly People

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it proposes to widen the social inclusion strategy to deal explicitly with exclusion of older people.

Jackie Baillie: The Social Justice Annual Report 2000 , which was published on Monday (13 November), sets out what is being done to support our social justice targets and milestones for older people. This includes the installation of central heating for 70,000 pensioners, free off-peak bus travel and a £100 million community care package for older people.

Enterprise

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government regarding motor vehicle retail pricing and any effect this may have on motor traders in Scotland, particularly in rural areas, and what position it has taken on the issue of any block exemption of an area of Scotland in respect of retail price charging in the motor trade.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive makes representations to the UK Government on a wide range of issues. Pricing is normally a commercial matter for individual companies. Where pricing levels raise competition concerns, this would be a matter for the UK Government as competition is a reserved matter.

Enterprise

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote, support and regulate training for employment in the motor trade.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive supports training for employment in the motor trade through the youth training programme, Skillseekers, which includes Modern Apprenticeships. Participation in Skillseekers is demand-led by young people and by employers. Uptake in the motor vehicle sector is good. There are currently 2,659 Skillseekers training in the motor trade and 1,358 Modern Apprentices.

  Young people can also access training in the motor vehicle sector through further education. Currently, 31 FE colleges offer courses in the motor vehicle sector.

  The National Training Organisation, the Motor Industry Training Council, is responsible for promoting the Modern Apprenticeship within its sector and for devising and maintaining occupational standards which link into the SVQ and the Modern Apprenticeship.

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to prevent the continued spread of invasive, non-native species of plants, such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Scottish Natural Heritage, which has a key role in controlling non-native plants which threaten sites of high natural heritage value, is assessing the implications of the introduction of non-native species such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed. This work is being undertaken with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the countryside agencies for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Local authorities may act under the powers of the Environment Protection Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 where the amenity of a public area is at risk. Action might include the introduction of an appropriate control programme to tackle the problems caused by invasive plants.

  It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to plant or encourage the growth in the wild of any plant listed in Part II of Schedule 9 of the Act, which includes Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed.

Environment

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what input it had to the remit of the study into the long-term effects of chemicals in the environment being carried out by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution; whether it intends to make any submission to the Commission on this issue, and whether it will make any submission public.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Following consultation with a number of bodies including the Scottish Executive, the Royal Commission has drawn up a preliminary list of the broad topics it intends to cover in this study. It is now seeking to identify the issues and areas it would be most appropriate for the new study to investigate and the Scottish Executive has been invited to contribute to this exercise. This information will help the Commission to scope the study. The new study is expected to begin in the middle of next year, when the Commission will invite the submission of detailed evidence on specific issues. The Scottish Executive will make any response available to the public.

Environment

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce any spread of algal blooms in Loch Lomond; what phosphorus control measures have been taken in other lochs, and whether any resulting algal blooms have been detected.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has the statutory duty of exercising its pollution control powers for the purpose of preventing or minimising, or remedying or mitigating, the effects of pollution in the environment. It has the duty of promoting the cleanliness of the inland waters of Scotland and generally to promote the conservation of flora and fauna which are dependent on an aquatic environment, to such extent as it considers desirable. Subject to certain exceptions, no poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, or solid waste matter may be discharged into controlled waters without the consent of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and in compliance with the conditions of such consent. The agency has powers to issue notices requiring certain kinds of activities to be carried out to limit pollution.

  A copy of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s report Phosphorus Control in Loch Lomond is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. no. 9510). This document provides estimates on the amount of phosphorus believed to be entering the loch from diffuse and point sources. It goes on to advise on proposals to control, by limits on consent to discharge, the amount of phosphorus being introduced from point sources. The implementation of these controls has changed slightly from those shown in the document following feedback from the water authorities and others on the effect of such controls. It is intended to address diffuse sources of phosphorus through catchment management. In this respect, a report, Loch Lomond Catchment Management Plan, has been published and is also available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. no. 9511). A proactive approach is being adopted to deal with phosphorus, to prevent any serious deterioration of the present general good quality of water in the loch.

  Information on phosphorus control measures and algal blooms in other lochs, while not held centrally, is available from the agency. General information on the environmental condition of Scotland’s lochs, and the agency’s improvement targets, is contained in its report Improving Scotland’s Water Environment, which is also available in the Reference Centre (Bib. no. 2964).

Ferry Services

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of the consultation on Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services .

Sarah Boyack: I welcome the wide response to the consultation document, Delivering Lifeline Ferry Services – over 100 responses were received. The issues are complex and we will announce decisions on the way forward as soon as possible, taking into account all of the points made.

Fireworks

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation to tighten controls over fireworks.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The sale and supply of fireworks is a consumer protection matter and as such is reserved.

  The UK Government undertook a comprehensive review of the controls on fireworks in 1996, which led to the introduction of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997. The 1997 Regulations control the type and size of fireworks which can be sold to the general public and prohibit the sale of most fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age. It is an offence, which can result in a fine of up to £5,000 and/or a prison sentence, to supply to the general public the more powerful types of fireworks specified in the Regulations. The Regulations also require that all fireworks intended for sale to the general public, whether manufactured here or imported, must comply with the British Standard on the safety of fireworks, BS 71124 Part 2: 1998.

  The UK Government is keeping this matter under review.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the Scottish fishing fleet’s allocated quota for each species is expected to be caught this year.

Rhona Brankin: The "Scottish fishing fleet" is not allocated fish quotas. Quotas are allocated to three fishing groups in the UK – producer organisations (20); the non-sector and the 10 metre and under fleet. There are around 70 UK quota stocks which are allocated to fishing groups. Uptake of UK quotas is routinely monitored at group rather than at individual vessel level.

  Under the devolution settlement, a "Scottish boat" is defined by reference to its port of registration. It is possible for Scottish-registered vessels to be fishing out of English ports and vice versa. Similarly, some of the seven Scottish-based producer organisations may have in their membership vessels which are not registered in Scotland.

  However, for the purposes of this answer, we have assumed the "Scottish fishing fleet" to mean the seven Scottish-based fish producer organisations. For west coast nephrops, however, the Scottish fleet also includes those vessels of under 10 metres in length and those in the non-sector (over 10 metre vessels not in membership of a fish producer organisation) since both groups have a significant interest in this fishery.

  It is not possible at this stage to accurately predict the likely level of percentage uptake of quotas by the Scottish fleet since a number of factors such as availability of fish and weather conditions can bear on uptake levels in the weeks to end-December.

  However, based on recorded uptake as at 9 November (the latest available figures), the following tables show the approximate percentage uptake of the main whitefish stocks by the scottish producer organisations based on current allocations:

  


North Sea


Cod


Haddock


Whiting


Saithe


Nephrops







75%


66%


79%


89%


68%




  


West Coast


Cod


Haddock


Whiting


Saithe


Nephrops







69%


55%


75%


52%


80%

Further Education

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9603 by Henry McLeish on 19 September 2000, when Ministers next intend to meet representatives of the Scottish Further Education Unit and what issues will be discussed.

Ms Wendy Alexander: There are currently no plans for Ministers to meet formally with representatives of the Scottish Further Education Unit. However, Alasdair Morrison, Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Gaelic is planning to attend SFEU’s National Conference, "Building the Future", on 23 November 2000. The main themes of the conference will be Lifelong Learning; Social Justice; Economic Competitiveness; Information and Communication Technology, and Research and Development.

Justice

David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the end-year balance in each sub-heading of the Scottish Courts budget was in 1999-2000.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested in contained in the following table.

  


Subheading


Provision
£000


Actual
£000


(Under)/overspend
£000




Running costs


34,816


30,584


(4,232)




Capital


12,000


11,131


(869)




Appropriations in aid


(17,781)


(17,829)


(48)




Operational


5,035


4,119


(916)




Lockerbie


11,259


10,049


(1,210)




Total


45,329


38,054


(7,275)

Mental Health

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has researched into any link between mental health problems and deprivation and what action it is taking in response to any such link.

Malcolm Chisholm: There have been a number of local and national surveys in this area, some funded by the Scottish Executive. These have found clear evidence of a marked social class gradient in the prevalence of mental health problems, including suicide, first admissions to hospital for schizophrenia and GP contact rates for depression and anxiety. In particular, surveys have shown that at least 50% of "looked-after" children and young people have significant mental health problems.

  The range of measures being taken by the Scottish Executive to tackle deprivation, by improving the circumstances and environment in which people live, will help contribute to better mental health. The provision of services, informed by research findings, is increasingly recognising the particular needs of vulnerable groups, including those who live in deprived circumstances. For example, through the Mental Health and Well Being Development Fund, the Scottish Executive now funds four projects, which provide special Child and Adolescent Mental Health services to "looked-after" children and young people.

NHS Staff

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-8965 by Susan Deacon on 21 August 2000, whether additional funds are available to allow the immediate advertisement of the twelve new specialist posts in medical or clinical oncology or whether this recruitment will only take place following reductions in the number of specialist registrars in other specialities.

Susan Deacon: NHS Management Executive Letter (2000) 24, issued on 28 April 2000, advised the NHS in Scotland of an increase in the Specialist Registrar (SpR) establishment in oncology. Five additional posts are to be allocated to medical oncology and seven extra posts to clinical oncology.

  The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE) began recruitment to higher specialist training in medical and clinical oncology, immediately after my announcement of additional funding for 100 extra junior doctors and 10 new consultant posts, in June this year. Three SpR appointments have been made in medical oncology and four in clinical oncology up to 30 September 2000. Further posts will be advertised in November to meet the target of 12 new posts by February 2001.

  The time taken in filling the new posts is related to the preparatory work needed to increase training capacity and is not dependent on reductions in the number of SpRs in other specialties.

National Goose Forum

Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money the National Goose Forum has spent to date.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The National Goose Forum completed its work in December 1999, with the presentation to Ministers of a detailed report containing 34 recommendations.

  The work of the forum was financed by the Scottish Office and, following devolution, by the Scottish Executive. Total expenditure on the forum, including publication in February of the final report and the subsequent public consultation (payments for which fell within the current financial year), amounted to:

  


1997-98


£658.13




1998-99


£3,103.63




2000-01


£4,229.87




TOTAL


£7,991.63

Non-Domestic Rates

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce performance indicators for local authorities on the collection of non-domestic business rates, as is currently done for the collection of council tax.

Peter Peacock: The Executive has no plans directly to introduce performance indicators for local authorities on the collection of non-domestic rates.

Non-Domestic Rates

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list by local authority the amount of uncollected non-domestic rates for each of the past five years.

Peter Peacock: Details of the sums billed by local authorities for non-domestic rates are not held centrally.

Nuclear Submarines

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate any environmental and health and safety implications of the Royal Navy’s announcement on 8 September 2000 that a "serious reactor problem" had been discovered in the nuclear submarine HMS Sceptre during its current refit at Rosyth.

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate any environmental and health and safety implications of the Royal Navy’s statement on 8 September 2000 that the nuclear submarines Sovereign and Superb have been declared non-operational and are now in dock.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Operational matters relating to nuclear submarines are a matter for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). I understand, however, that all work on the nuclear reactors and associated systems of nuclear submarines are conducted in accordance with stringent safety rules. These are regulated by MOD’s internal regulator, the Chairman of the Naval Nuclear Regulatory Panel. The rules are designed to maintain the safety of the public, the ship’s company and the environment.

  I understand from MOD that the particular reactor problems for the nuclear submarines Sceptre, Sovereign and Superb will not result in discharges to the marine environment.

Parliamentary Questions

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will answer question S1W-9625 lodged on 5 September 2000.

Susan Deacon: Question S1W-9625 was answered today.

Police

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the total number of police officers were absent from duties for any reason at any time in the last whole year for which figures are available.

Mr Jim Wallace: This information is not held centrally in the form requested. Individual forces do supply details of the numbers of absences due to sick and maternity leave but do not provide information on absences for other reasons, such as training, secondments or unpaid leave. It is for chief constables to put in place appropriate absence control procedures to ensure that sufficient officers are on duty at any time.

Public Transport

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much public money was spent on concessionary fares schemes in each of the last three years.

Sarah Boyack: Expenditure on concessionary fares schemes by local authorities in each of the last three financial years is as follows:

  





£000




1997-98


42,441




1998-99


41,968 1




1999-2000


41,952 2




  Notes:

  1. Provisional outturn figure which is subject to change.

  2. Budget estimate which is subject to change.

Public Transport

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the national concessionary fares scheme due to be introduced in October 2002 will cost annually.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive commissioned consultants, Colin Buchanan and Partners, to carry out a research study into the likely costs of various options for enhancing concessionary fares arrangements. Their report will be made available shortly to the Transport and Environment Committee. The Executive will shortly enter into discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and bus operators to clarify the actual costs associated with the introduction of the enhanced arrangements I announced on 28 September (question S1W-1099).

Recycling

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote the recycling of plastics.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive is contributing over £2 million to the Waste Resource Action Programme (WRAP), which is being established in conjunction with DETR, DTI and the National Assembly for Wales. WRAP will investigate and aim to overcome major barriers to recycling in Britain. Plastic has already been identified as a priority for action.

  The Executive is also working with DETR and interested parties to explore opportunities specifically to increase the recycling of plastic farm films which form a significant amount of plastics often disposed of on farms.

  The Executive also jointly funds the ReMaDe (Recycling Markets Development) project in Scotland. ReMaDe is already working to encourage recycling of several materials and plans to look at opportunities to recycle plastics.

  In November 1999, Sarah Boyack opened a Materials Reclamation Facility in Polmadie, Glasgow. It was funded by a £2.6 million award from the Scottish Office Capital Challenge Fund. The facility sorts aluminium and steel cans, paper and different types of plastics for recycling. I was pleased to hear that the one-millionth plastic bottle for recycling was processed at the facility during the summer.

  In addition, the Executive recently hosted a conference on plastics recycling, organised by RECycling Of Used Plastic Containers Ltd (RECOUP). Over 70 people from local authorities and business attended the conference and discussed the problems and possibilities for increasing plastics recycling.

Recycling

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities exist in Scotland for the recycling of plastics.

Mr Sam Galbraith: There are facilities for reprocessing recycled plastics in Aberdeen and Dumfries, as well as several smaller plants across the country. A pilot project to investigate the viability of polymer-cracking of plastics has been undertaken at Grangemouth.

Rural Affairs

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the overall spending block (a) its total Rural Affairs budget; (b) that part of the rural affairs budget which is not tied to European funding; (c) its total fisheries budget, and (d) that part of the fisheries budget which is not tied to European funding will represent in each of the next three financial years.

Ross Finnie: In the table below "overall spending block" figures are the Scottish Executive’s Total Managed Expenditure as shown in Table 2 of Making a Difference for Scotland . Figures for the "rural affairs budget" are the plans for Rural Affairs spending by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) shown in the table on page 22 of the same document.

  





2001-02
£ million


2002-03
£ million


2003-04
£ million




Scottish Executive Total Managed 
Expenditure (TME).


19,743.9


20,912.8


22,074.8




SERAD Rural Affairs budget.
(% of TME)


621.9
(3.1%)


627.1
(3%)


628.5
(2.8%)




Amounts of SERAD budget "not 
tied to European funding."
(% of TME)


148
(0.75%)


158
(0.75%


162
(0.73%)




Fisheries Budget.
(% of TME)


6.9
(0.03%)


8.4
(0.04%)


8.4
(0.04%)




Non-EU Fisheries Budget.
(% of TME)


2
(0.01%)


3
(0.01%)


3
(0.01%)




  The Fisheries expenditure plans shown are those for the Fisheries Budget Level 2 in the table on page 22 of Making a Difference for Scotland. They exclude resources of over £50 million a year devoted to the Scottish Fisheries Protection and Fisheries Research Services Agencies which are included in the Level 2 Budgets for Agencies.

Rural Affairs

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-6754 by Ross Finnie on 7 August 2000, and in the light of its Comprehensive Spending Review, whether it will provide updated information for the same figures for the next three years.

Ross Finnie: The information requested in respect of Rural Development portfolio spending by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD) is shown in the table below.

  

 

2001-02


2002-03


2003-04




Value of spending (£ million).


148


158


162




Spending as a percentage of total 
SERAD Rural Development resource plans.


24%


25%


26%




  The sums above constitute between 0.7% and 0.8% of the Executive’s plans for Total Managed Expenditure. The values of the proportions shown for the expenditure here are highly sensitive to the value of "European" spending. The value of the department’s significant expenditure on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on-farm payment schemes is very sensitive to factors such as the value of sterling. While the Executive’s plans for "non EU" spending shown above are fixed for the Spending Review 2000 period, its plans for CAP spending are classed as Annually Managed Expenditure (AME), outside the Scottish Block and formula arrangements. The spending is classed as AME because actual expenditure on CAP schemes is prone to considerable variance from plans. The proportions shown here therefore, based on comparisons between fixed and variable plans, do not allow meaningful conclusions to be drawn.

Rural Affairs

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the circumstances surrounding the remit of the Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs as referred to in Mr John Home Robertson’s speech in the Parliament on 1 November 2000 were not made public at the time.

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what input and influence the National Farmers’ Union had in relation to the remit of the former Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs.

Ross Finnie: The selection of those proposed for appointment as junior Scottish Ministers last year was a personal decision of the late First Minister and current Executive Ministers are not in a position to comment on it.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to provide a breakdown of monies spent by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on foreign travel in each of the last two years.

Mr Sam Galbraith: This a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the information may be obtained from them.

Scottish Executive Staff

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff it employs at all locations in the City of Edinburgh other than Victoria Quay, how many workplace parking spaces it provides at each location and what steps it is taking to reduce the number of spaces and promote car sharing and modal switch at each location.

Sarah Boyack: The information about staff numbers and normally available car parking spaces is laid out in the table below.

  


Location


Permanent core Scottish 
Executive staff (as at 1 August 2000)


Available car parking 
spaces




St Andrew’s House


495


122*




Pentland House


457


183




Saughton House


405


224**




16 Waterloo Place


171


8




James Craig Walk


142


-




Greenside Lane


75


6




17 Waterloo Place


23


-




Governor’s House


21


10




Picardy Place


9


5




  *Due to ongoing refurbishment, there are currently 68 spaces in use.

  **Saughton House is shared with a number of other Government Departments and agencies and car parking is not specifically allocated between the departments. The Scottish Executive accounts for 60% of total staff occupying the building and the figure shown is pro rata.

  The Scottish Executive is committed to encouraging its staff to consider using more sustainable transport modes in getting to and from work. A Green Travel Plan covering our main Edinburgh buildings is currently being prepared, for publication in the autumn.

  A range of initiatives is underway or planned to encourage more sustainable travel practices by Scottish Executive staff based at the buildings listed above, including:

  - an intranet-based Green Travel website, which has areas for car-sharers and bicycle users, public transport timetable information and links, and other information of practical use for members of staff;

  - interest-free loans for purchasing annual travel tickets and bicycles and cycling equipment;

  - discounted annual travel tickets for Lothian Buses services; and

  - the provision of pre-paid books of bus tickets for business travel.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when each member of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) was appointed and which members have attended each board meeting since the establishment of the SQA.

Mr Jack McConnell: The number of meetings attended by members of the SQA Board of Management is given below:

  


Name


Appointed


Appointment Ended/Ends


1997
(5 Meetings)


1998
(4 Meetings)


1999
(4 Meetings)


2000
(4 Meetings)




D Miller (Chairman)


18.9.96


31.3.02


5


3


4


4




Mrs P Cairns


20.1.97


31.1.01


4


4


1


3




M Leech


20.1.97


31.1.01


4


4


3


4




Mrs P Lowrie


20.1.97


31.1.01


4


4


2


4




I McMillan


20.1.97


31.1.01


4


4


2


4




B Minto


20.1.97


31.1.01


5


4


4


4




Dr C Munn


20.1.97


31.1.01


4


3


3


3




Dr M Green1


20.1.97


28.2.03


2


4


3


4




I Hay1


20.1.97


28.2.03


5


3


3


2




I Muir1


20.1.97


28.2.03


5


4


4


4




Ms M Allan


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


3


3




Mrs A Hill


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


1


1




Dr J McClure


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


3


4




Prof I Marrian


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


3


3




Mrs S Rae


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


2


3




J Ramsay


16.3.99


28.2.03


-


-


3


2




Mrs L McKay2


17.2.97


31.1.01


3


2


3


2




Mrs M Nicol2


5.3.97


31.1.01


2


3


3


2




Dr P Thomson3


17.2.97


31.1.03


3


3


4


4




Mrs L McTavish


16.3.99


31.1.03


-


-


4


3




  Notes:

  1. Originally appointed by Mr Forsyth in 1997 and re-appointed by Mr Dewar on 16 March 1999.

  2. Originally appointed by SQA in 1997 and re-appointed on 25 March 1999.

  3. Originally appointed by SQA in 1997 and re-appointed on 25 March 1999.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the report in the Scottish Daily Express of 19 September 2000 that Scottish pupils who wish to study at Oxford or Cambridge or to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine courses in 2001 require to have their applications completed by 15 October 2000, whether such a deadline will be complied with, whether it will use its powers under section 9 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 to ensure that, for such students, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will have discharged its functions by 15 October 2000, or whether it has received sufficient assurances from the SQA that such a deadline will be met.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Qualifications Authority put arrangements in place to process appeals for those candidates affected in time for the 15 October deadline. I am told by the SQA that the timetable was achieved in all cases.

Statistics

Mike Watson (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce any changes to the arrangements for the dissemination of statistics.

Angus MacKay: We said in the Scottish Executive Statistical Plan 2000-2001 , released as a consultation document in April, that we were undertaking a review of our dissemination of statistics. We invited comment on several options for change which we were considering. One of these was a proposal to develop a new volume of social statistics to complement Scottish Economic Statistics . Between them, these would cover the material in the existing compendium, the Scottish Abstract of Statistics , which would be discontinued.

  Respondents to the consultation overwhelmingly supported this change. We are accordingly proceeding with the preparation of the new volume, to be called "Scottish Social Statistics", which will be published early in 2001. It will present a wide range of information on life in Scotland, using a format which combines tables and graphs with a extensive text. This is in line with the second proposal we made in the plan, to introduce a new style of publication which provides more commentary on the statistics and their policy context, which respondents also favoured.

  There will be no further editions of the Scottish Abstract. The material which it contained is already publicly available in a variety of paper and electronic publications.

  We remain committed to making statistics available as quickly as possible in forms which users find useful. The third proposal in the plan was to enhance the information on the Scottish Executive website to include more detailed tables which have previously been available only on request. We have begun to take this forward with the addition of a range of economic statistics, including local authority profiles.

Telecommunications

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek to develop an informal communication channel or formal Concordat or other form of direct relationship with the UK telecoms regulator (OFTEL) in order to ensure that its policy reflects conditions in Scotland, including its substantial information communications technology industry and sparse population distant from economic centres in the north.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Telecommunications regulation is reserved. The Scottish Executive holds discussions with UK Departments and other organisations, including OFTEL, as necessary.

Tourism

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the contents displayed on, and the design and location of, road and motorway signs to achieve greater safety and clarity, especially in relation to usage by tourists.

Sarah Boyack: The legislation and associated guidance relating to the design, content and location of road and motorway signs is reserved. There are occasions when the Scottish Executive becomes involved in investigations on related issues, usually in its capacity as the trunk road authority.

Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) miles of trunk road and (b) railway stations there are in each local authority area.

Sarah Boyack: The number of miles of trunk road by local authority area is contained in Table 5.2 of the 2000 edition of the Scottish Transport Statistics, which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

  There are 334 railway stations in Scotland. These are located in the following local authority areas:

  


Local Authority Area


Stations




City of Aberdeen


2




Aberdeenshire


6




Angus


7




Argyll & Bute


14




East Ayrshire


6




North Ayrshire


11




South Ayrshire


9




Scottish Borders


0




Clackmannanshire


0




Dumfries & Galloway


7




East Dunbartonshire


6




West Dunbartonshire


13




Dundee City


2




City of Edinburgh


8




Falkirk


5




Fife


19




City of Glasgow


59




Highland


57




Inverclyde


14




North Lanarkshire


23




South Lanarkshire


16




East Lothian


7




West Lothian


10




Midlothian


0




Moray


3




Orkney Islands


0




Perth & Kinross


7




Renfrewshire


9




East Renfrewshire


9




Shetland Isles


0




Stirling


5




Western Isles


0

Waste Management

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to monitor and regulate the burning of tyres and whether it has plans to enhance these powers.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 prohibits the keeping, treating or disposal of controlled waste unless a waste management licence authorising the activity has been issued by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The Act also places a Duty of Care on any person who handles controlled waste. These provisions apply to waste tyres, other than household waste, although SEPA would not authorise the burning of tyres in the open.

  The unauthorised burning of tyres would be dealt with in various ways, depending on circumstances. If a business burns tyres in an unauthorised manner it would be liable to prosecution under section 33 or 34 of the 1990 Act. If the burning of tyres involves household waste, a local authority has powers to take action under the statutory nuisance provisions in the 1990 Act. Waste tyres from commercial agricultural premises are not regulated by SEPA but are subject to the Clean Air Act 1993. There are no plans to amend these powers.

  SEPA has monitoring powers under section 108 of the Environment Act 1995. These include the power to enter at reasonable times (or, in an emergency, at any time) any premises which an authorised officer has reason to believe it is necessary for him to enter. The provisions also permit the examination of, and the taking of samples from, the premises, and the taking of samples of air, water or land on, or in the vicinity of, the premises.